Country music legend Toby Keith’s legacy is galloping into the spotlight at the 151st Kentucky Derby, but which horse carries his dream-and what are its chances?
Render Judgment, a thoroughbred partially owned by the late Toby Keith, is set to compete in this year’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. This marks a poignant milestone for Keith, who passed away in 2024 after a battle with stomach cancer and had long dreamed of seeing his horse run in the Derby
Render Judgment will break from post position 1, with jockey Julien Leparoux in the saddle and trainer Kenny McPeek, who won last year’s Derby, calling the shots The colt was a late addition to the field, stepping in after another contender, Tappan Street, withdrew due to injury As of Derby weekend, Render Judgment is considered a long shot, opening with odds of 30-1 but seeing some movement to 16-1 as the race approaches
Keith’s passion for horse racing was well known-he founded Dream Walkin’ Farms in Oklahoma in 200, and his family now manages the operation While Render Judgment’s recent race record shows just one win in seven starts, he is one of only a few Derby entrants with a Churchill Downs victory to his name
For fans and racing enthusiasts alike, Render Judgment’s run is more than just a race-it’s the fulfillment of a country icon’s lifelong wish, with the world watching to see if the underdog can deliver a storybook ending
